So, there is a theory that this is first show where Phil plays a 6-string bass (he’d played traditional 4-strings until this point).

From a friend:
Here’s what a friend of mine who is an even bigger nerd than me had to say:
“Has to be New Year’s run 1982. He’s playing the G+L 4 string at Montego Bay, and the 6 string is in the Etta James vids.”

Well, what do I say now? I look back now and know how lucky I was and am. Liberal parenting,supportive through thick and thin!!! later learned that most kids did not have the opportunities that I was granted. Nam Yo Rengi Kyo or something like that no one could ever get me to join up. I realized this evening that I would always be an individual and somewhat always by myself. Oh by the way, really dug the west coast vibe what a difference from the east.
Grateful

Let's just say...the GD showed up and played their instruments and there was so little pressure on them to perform, they plugged in and played. The result was that some of it was mediocre and some of it sparkled with effervescence.

What is spectacularly superior about this show is the recorded sound and the subsequent cleanup of it.

With me, don't you know, playing is come see come saw. How it sounds? Now, that's quite another thing.

To me, the "thing" about the GD was how they sounded, not necessarily which songs, or not necessarily how competently they played.

They had me hook line and stinker from late 69 on.